Colorado Mesa Women Ranked Second in Preseason Poll

The Mavericks enter the upcoming season after a historic run to the NCAA Division II Final Four last year.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive sports illustration of a basketball player in crimson and white, captured in a dynamic, gestural mid-air motion. — The Women's Basketball Coaches Association ranked Colorado Mesa University second in its preseason poll following last year's historic Final Four run. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Women's Basketball Coaches Association has ranked Colorado Mesa University second in its national preseason poll. The Grand Junction team is also the conference favorite, receiving 11 of 14 votes to win the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Why it matters

The high ranking reflects the team's momentum following a dominant 37-2 finish during the 2025-2026 season. After reaching their first-ever NCAA Division II Final Four, the program enters the new campaign with elevated national expectations.

The Mavericks finished the 2025-26 season with a 37-2 record and earned 11 of 14 possible conference votes. Guard Mason Rowland returns after averaging 18.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game last year.

The players

Colorado Mesa University

This public university located in Grand Junction, Colorado, fields athletic teams that compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Mason Rowland

A standout guard for the Mavericks, she has earned numerous accolades including spots on the RMAC All-Tournament and NCAA South Central Region All-Tournament teams.

Women's Basketball Coaches Association

This professional organization represents coaches of women's basketball at all levels and publishes authoritative national rankings.

The details

Mason Rowland, who scored 52 points across two Elite Eight games, leads the team's returning talent. The roster is coming off a campaign that saw appearances in both the RMAC All-Tournament and NCAA South Central Region All-Tournament teams.

The CMU basketball team finished the 2025-2026 season with a 37-2 record.
The team plays Alaska Anchorage on October 30, 2026, in Honolulu.

Season Trajectory

The No. 2 preseason ranking places the Mavericks as the team to beat in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference this year. This positioning signals a shift from underdog status to a primary contender for the national title held by Grand Valley State.

Fans should monitor the team's performance beginning October 30, 2026, when they face Alaska Anchorage. The team's preseason status suggests they will face high-intensity matchups throughout the conference schedule.

The takeaway

Colorado Mesa University looks to capitalize on last season's 37-win campaign with a veteran-led squad. Maintaining this momentum through the non-conference schedule will be critical for holding their national standing.